Front Page

U.S. Religious Leaders Meet with King of Jordan

April 21, 2009, WASHINGTON – Four U.S. religious leaders – two Christian and two Muslim – met with King Abdullah II of Jordan here April 20 to discuss specific topics about the Middle East. The topics included the current conflict between Israelis and Palestinians with a focus on concerns for Jerusalem, deepening Muslim-Christian relationships and the future of Arab Christianity in the Middle East, said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Chicago.

Christian Peace Witness for Iraq to Gather on 100th Day of New Administration

April 17, 2009 – After five years of occupation, Christian peace advocates are still asking for an end to the war in Iraq and accountability surrounding the detention and torture of suspected terrorists and war criminals. Hundreds of activists are expected to rally in Washington, D.C., on April 29-30, encouraging continued progress in withdrawal of forces from Iraq, humane refugee resettlement policies and reform in interrogation practices.

AFRICA: Scourge of Malaria Can Be Prevented, Say Church Leaders

April 24, 2009, CAPE TOWN – One child dies of malaria every 30 seconds in sub-Saharan Africa and church leaders say this dire reality needs to be addressed immediately. "The cost of preventing and treating malaria is only a fraction of what the disease costs us in terms of lost lives, lost income, lost productivity, lost learning," Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa has said. "The world must get its priorities right in tackling this preventable and curable disease, which claims a million lives a year." He was speaking on the eve of World Malaria Day, April 25.

UCC Commitment at Racism Conference Steady Despite U.S. Government Boycott

April 20, 2009 – While the international spotlight focuses on the United States' decision to boycott the Durban Review Conference on racisim in Geneva, Switzerland, the UCC and other faith communities are committed to sending delegates to the April 20-24 event.

Earth Day: Press for Copenhagen Accords, CWS Says
Agency Urges Citizens to Speak out in National Postcard Climate Change Campaign

April 21, 2009, NEW YORK – This Earth Day, humanitarian agency Church World Service gives people an opportunity to take immediate action to fight climate change by participating in a national postcard "Countdown to Copenhagen" advocacy campaign aimed at the Obama administration and members of Congress. The agency's Countdown to Copenhagen campaign urges people to send President Barack Obama and lawmakers in Washington the following message: Attend the upcoming global summit on climate change; agree to cut carbon emissions that cause climate change; and provide fair and just funding to help poor countries deal with global warming.

General News

Hundreds of Lutherans to Help Plant 12,000 Trees Honoring Earth Day

April 22, 2009 – In Michigan's Upper Peninsula, hundreds of Lutherans will help plant 12,000 trees in honor of Earth Day, April 22. As part of the Earth Keeper Tree Project, Lutherans and other people of faith will bless and plant trees across the region at various times on May 3. Founded in 2004, Earth Keeper is supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and nine other faith groups. The ELCA's social statement about creation and the environment is Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope and Justice.

Executive Council Considers New Partnership with Liberian Episcopal Church

April 21, 2009 – As the Episcopal Church of Liberia tries to rebuild after years of civil war that ravaged the church and the nation, the Episcopal Church is being asked to continue aiding that work. The Episcopal Church's Executive Council will on April 22 consider approving a new covenant partnership between the Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Church in Liberia. The Liberian diocese approved the agreement at its convention earlier this year.

From Foster Home to Adoptive Home – A Lutheran Family's Story

April 22, 2009, CHICAGO – One of Melony Skytta's most rewarding moments as a foster parent involved a seven-year-old autistic boy. She took him to a nursing home to give out stuffed animals. One resident said she couldn't accept a gift for nothing. "My boy told her that his gift was free – like the gift of salvation when God gave Jesus," said Skytta, 45, of rural Humboldt, Mich. "I was standing in the hall with tears in my eyes. Two years earlier, he could barely talk."

United Methodist Web Site Opens Church Doors

April 20, 2009 – Listen to "There Will Be a Day" by Jeremy Camp. Discuss ideas to improve health care. Find ways to heal the planet at a congregation near you. There are thousands of ways to be church in the world, and United Methodists do not want to miss any of them in an innovative Web site inviting a new generation into a life of faith and service. Backed by a national advertising campaign, The United Methodist Church on April 20 launched tenthousanddoors.org. The site is part of the denomination's Rethink Church campaign, which is using nontraditional methods to reach young adults and others in relevant ways.

Teaching Theologians Affirm ELCA Task Force Documents

April 24, 2009, CHICAGO – A statement supporting a recommendation put forth by the Task Force for Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Studies on Sexuality is gaining support from more than 100 teaching theologians of the church and other Christian theologians teaching at ELCA institutions. Professors from ELCA seminaries, colleges and universities, retired bishops, a retired seminary president and ELCA theologians teaching at other institutions are signing on daily.

International Day of Prayer for Peace Campaign to Focus on Economic Crisis

April 24, 2009, ELGIN, IL – On Earth Peace, a Church of the Brethren agency, is calling on churches and organizations to join its annual campaign to participate in the World Council of Churches' International Day of Prayer for Peace (IDOPP) on Sept. 21. This year, a special emphasis is being given to the ways in which the current deep recession is affecting local communities. "Times like these remind us that peace is always a local issue," said Matt Guynn, Peace Witness coordinator for On Earth Peace.

Waldorf College's For-Profit Venture Would Change ELCA Relationship

April 24, 2009, CHICAGO – The Waldorf Lutheran College Association unanimously approved a series of resolutions April 23 that move Waldorf College, Forest City, Iowa, closer to a possible sale to Columbia Southern University (CSU). CSU is a for-profit institution and one of the nation's first online universities. The move was prompted by a financial crisis at Waldorf. A new for-profit status for Waldorf would require changes in the relationship between the institution and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Communion Partners Statement Challenges Episcopal Church Polity
Group's Conclusions Draw Swift Criticism

April 23, 2009 – A statement released April 22 and signed by Episcopal bishops and clergy challenges the polity of the Episcopal Church by suggesting that dioceses are autonomous entities and independent of General Convention, the church's main legislative body. The statement, which drew swift criticism for being an attack on the church's governance, was signed by 15 active and retired Episcopal Church bishops and endorsed by three Episcopal clergy who are members of the conservative Anglican Communion Institute.

Liberian President Sails Through ‘Daily Show' Interview

April 22, 2009, NEW YORK – Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a United Methodist and the first female president of Liberia, was poised, serene and smiling through national appearances on United States television even though her 13-year-old grandson gave her a "heads up" about one of the talk show hosts she was meeting. "He told me, ‘You are going to be meeting Jon Stewart. Grandma you have to be prepared,'" she said during her interview with the host of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show." Stewart, who usually plays for laughs, was nothing but respectful when he interviewed Sirleaf on the April 21 broadcast.

Editorial Page

Analysis: Singer Teaches Us How to Love Our Neighbor

April 24, 2009, NASHVILLE – Al Hampton, 62, was so moved by Susan Boyle that he played the YouTube video of the unassuming 47-year-old singer's triumphant television performance four times back to back. "I like to cry," he says. Katy Kaufman, 14, felt good inside hearing the beauty of Boyle's voice transform an audience prepared to judge the singer based only on her plain appearance.

Spanish News

CLAI Busca Coordinador/a Para Pastoral Indígena

21 abril 2009, QUITO, Ecuador – El Consejo Latinoamericano de Iglesias (Clai) recibe hasta el día 31 de mayo las inscripciones de personas interesadas en asumir la coordinación continental de la Pastoral Indígena, programa desarrollado en asociación con el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI). Los candidatos y candidatas deben ser indígenas, miembros de una iglesia afiliada al Clai, tenerr experiencia ecuménica, formación compatible en teología y pastoral y disposición para viajar, con condiciones psicológicas para enfrentar desafíos.

Jóvenes Buscan Fortalecer La Identidad Ecuménica-Declaración De Belém Do Pará

23 abril 2009, BRASIL – Se dio a conocer esta semana la Declaración Ecuménica Juvenil surgida del encuentro del mismo nombre realizado en Belém do Pará, Brasil, en el marco del Foro Social Mundial en Enero del 2009. La tardanza en la publicación se debió, según coordinadores de las organizaciones firmantes, a los necesarios acuerdos que deben lograrse ante estas declaraciones. Los y las participantes realizaron una agenda conformada por tres bloques: Fe y Política, Juventud-Derechos Humanos y Violencia.

Líder Protestante Denuncia El Papel Importante De Alemania Como Exportador De Armas

21 abril 2009, ALEMANIA – El principial clérigo protestante de Alemania, el obispo Wolfgang Huber, puso de relieve el papel de su país como un importante exportador mundial de armas, y ha denunciado el hecho de que Alemania se ha convertido en la principal exportadora de armamento en Europa. "La exportación de armas de Alemania ha aumentado en un 13 por ciento de un año al siguiente," dijo Huber, quien dirige la Iglesia Evangélica en Alemania (EKD), la principal del país protestante.

El Gobierno De Buenos Aires Desmantelaría Predio Destinado a La Niñez Carenciada

20 abril 2009, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Desde hace más de 20 años, la Ciudad de Buenos Aires cuenta con un lugar de excelencia para la atención recreativa de niños y jóvenes de bajos recursos de la Ciudad y el resto del país: Puerto Pibes, un gran predio ubicado en la Costanera Norte. Ahora, el Gobierno de Mauricio Macri y Gabriela Michetti pretende cerrarlo e instalar allí la Policía Metropolitana, denuncian organizaciones sociales. Por allí pasaban 30.000 pibes por año, realizando salidas recreativas, campamentos, convivencias, talleres, capacitaciones y viajes de intercambio.

Sri Lanka: CMI Exige Liberación De Líder Ecuménico

23 abril 2009 – El secretario general del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), pastor Dr. Samuel Kobia, ha instado al gobierno de Sri Lanka a liberar inmediatamente de su detención a Santha Fernando, un funcionario ecuménico arrestado desde hace casi un mes. En una carta dirigida al presidente Mahinda Rajapaksa el 21 de abril, Kobia expresó "profunda preocupación" porque "hasta ahora, no se ha dado ninguna razón específica para el arresto o la detención de Fernando".

Sacerdote Con Trayectoria Ecuménica Será Nuevo Arzobispo De Cuenca, Ecuador

22 abril 2009, SUIZA – El franciscano Luis Cabrera Herrera, un sacerdote con una fecunda trayectoria ecuménica, ha sido nombrado este lunes como nuevo arzobispo metropolitano de Cuenca por el Papa Benedicto XVI. El padre Cabrera nació el 11 de octubre de 1955 en Azogues, Ecuador. Estudió en el Seminario Menor Franciscano en Azogues y Quito, y Filosofía y Teología en la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Ecuador.

La Iglesia Luterana Mexicana Ordenará Por Primera Vez, Tres Mujeres Al Pastorado

20 abril 2009 – CIUDAD DE MÉXICO – La Iglesia Luterana Mexicana A.R. y la congregación Luterana el Buen Pastor, ordenarán a las primeras tres mujeres al ministerio pastoral. Angela Trejo, María Elena Ortega y Sofía Tenorio, después de haberse graduado en el Seminario Luterano Augsburgo de la Ciudad de Méxcio y de completar sus practicas pastorales en diferentes congregaciones, serán ordenadas al minsterio pastoral el próximo 25 de abril de 2009 a la 1 PM, en las instalaciones de la Congregación El buen Pastor, en la Ciudad de México. La Iglesia Luterana Mexicana A.R. forma parte de la comunión de la Federación Luterana Mundial.

Human Rights News

Human Rights Exhibit Shows Psychiatric Abuses, Cause of New York Death

April 24, 2009, NEW YORK – "Psychiatry: An Industry of Death," is a traveling exhibit which has shocked public and experts alike with its graphic depiction of historical and current horrors including the drugging of 10 million schoolchildren in America, the continued administration of electroshock in America, and rampant fraud in psychiatric diagnosis and "treatment." It officially opened its 10 week run in NY with speeches by human rights experts and a ribbon-cutting, April 14th. "The shocking death of Jamaican immigrant Esmin Green at King's County Hospital is a particularly tragic example of psychiatric abuse," said Joya Dwight, of Citizens Commission on Human Rights, the sponsoring group.

Global Church Groupings Welcome Durban II Outcome, with Some Regrets

April 23, 2009 – Two global church organizations have congratulated the Durban Review Conference on the adoption of its outcome document, while regretting that the latter makes no mention of the plight of hundreds of millions of people affected by caste-based discrimination. In a joint oral intervention at the conference today, The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) welcomed the reaffirmation of the 2001 Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, as well as the international community's commitment to overcome all forms of racism "in all parts of the world, including those ‘under foreign occupation'."

National News

Church of the Brethren Staff Participate in White House Conference Call

April 24, 2009, ELGIN, IL – Two Church of the Brethren staff participated on April 17 in a meeting by conference call with the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and the Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation. Kathy Reid, associate general secretary and executive director of Caring Ministries, and Dan McFadden, director of Brethren Volunteer Service, took part. Reid offered the following report.

Two Churches Burn, One Classified as Arson

April 24, 2009 – No one was injured, but two LCMS churches suffered major fire damages in the weeks before Easter. Investigators say the early-morning fire April 4 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Yankton, S.D., was set deliberately, but church officials have no idea why. "A tornado you can understand," St. John's Pastor David Gunderson told the Argus Leader newspaper. "This, you wonder why people would do it." Gunderson says he knows of no one who would have a grudge against the 500-family congregation.

Brethren Disaster Ministries Participates in Ecumenical Blitz Build in New Orleans

April 24, 2009, ELGIN, IL – Brethren Disaster Ministries and Church of the Brethren volunteers are participating in an ecumenical Blitz Build currently taking place in New Orleans to rebuild homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Brethren Disaster Ministries is providing 15 volunteers per week for all four weeks of the project. The Blitz Build is sponsored by Church World Service with the participation of 10 Christian denominations, working with the local New Orleans longterm recovery organization Crescent Alliance Recovery Effort. Volunteers began work on April 20 in the community of Little Woods, which is described as a historic lakefront community in New Orleans' Ninth Ward. The project will repair or rebuild 12 homes during the four weeks from April 19-May 16.

Historical Marker for Colonial-Era Printer Christopher Saur Is Dedicated in Philadelphia

April 24, 2009, ELGIN, IL – On April 19, a Pennsylvania Historical Marker honoring the life of colonial-era printer Christopher Saur (1695-1758) was dedicated in Philadelphia. The event was held jointly by the Historical Committee of the Church of the Brethren's Atlantic Northeast District and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Saur printed the first European language Bible in America as well as numerous other religious books and hymnals. His German newspaper was the most widely read in Colonial America, and he used his power and the influence of his press to improve conditions for the German immigrant minority in Pennsylvania.

OC, Inc. Gains Review of FCC Ownership Rules

April 15, 2009 – Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit granted the UCC Office of Communication, Inc.'s request that the Federal Communications Commission be given an opportunity to revise its most-recent set of media ownership rules before the court undertakes its review. In its filing, 08-3078 – "Prometheus Radio Project v. FCC," OC Inc. challenged the FCC's most recent media ownership rules that allow television stations to own newspapers in certain circumstances. Cheryl Leanza, Policy Director of UCC OC, Inc. said, "We are delighted that the Third Circuit ruled in our favor. The Federal Communications Commission now has the opportunity to develop a sound record and better rules to enhance and protect media diversity."

MAINE: Bishop Supports ‘Rights and Obligations of Civil Marriage' for All State Citizens

April 23, 2009 – During a hearing April 22 in Augusta, Maine, a representative of Episcopal Diocese of Maine Bishop Steven Lane told legislators that they ought to "extend the rights and obligations of civil marriage to all Maine citizens." "To deny those rights to certain persons on the basis of sexual orientation is to create two classes of citizens and to deny one group what we believe is best for them and for society," Lane said in testimony submitted by Heidi Shott, the diocese's canon for communications and social justice.

Environmental Collaboration Celebrates Wyoming Mountain Range

April 23, 2009 – On April 21, the eve of Earth Day, the Wyoming Association of Churches gathered representatives of a broadly based coalition to celebrate the passage of national legislation protecting the Wyoming Range, a long chain of mountains running north and south in western Wyoming, from future mineral development. Meeting on the University of Wyoming campus in Laramie, they lauded their success with speakers representing government, environmental and faith perspectives. Part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 signed by President Obama on March 30, the Wyoming Range portion of new law is the culmination of a five-year campaign to protect the area.

International News

Prime Minister Sends Greetings to Baha'is on Ridvan

April 24, 2009, LONDON – British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has sent a message to UK Baha'is to mark Ridvan, the most important Baha'i festival. In it he expressed his "respect and admiration" for the British Baha'i community which, he said, "makes a contribution to British life out of all proportion to its size." In the letter, which was addressed to the annual reception hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Friends of the Baha'is, Mr. Brown welcomed the Baha'is' "participation in public life" and described as "tragic" the prejudice and discrimination faced by some Baha'is in the world.

Iran Courts Sentence Lutheran College Alumna

April 18, 2009, CHICAGO – An Iranian court sentenced a Lutheran college alumna to eight years in prison at an April 18 hearing in Tehran. Roxana Saberi, 31, a journalist who filed reports for National Public Radio (NPR), the BBC and others, was convicted of espionage. Iran revoked her journalist credentials in 2006, and considers all subsequent news gathering illegal. Saberi was slated to deliver the May 3 commencement address at her alma mater, Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn.

WCC Demands Release of Sri Lankan Ecumenical Official

April 22, 2009 – The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia has urged the government of Sri Lanka to immediately release from detention Shanta Fernando, an ecumenical official who has been under arrest for nearly a month. In a 21 April letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Kobia expressed "deep concern" as "no specific reason for the arrest or detention of Mr Fernando has been given so far." "Widely recognized as an Asian ecumenical leader with integrity and a strong commitment to justice and peace," Fernando "remains a victim of unlawful arrest and detention."

Global Church Organizations Welcome Durban II Outcome, with Some Regrets
No Mention of "Hundreds of Millions" Affected by Caste-Based Discrimination

April 24, 2009 GENEVA – Two global church organizations have congratulated the United Nations Durban Review Conference against racism on the adoption of its outcome document, but regret that the latter makes no mention of the plight of hundreds of millions of people affected by caste-based discrimination. In a joint oral intervention at the conference today in Geneva, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and World Council of Churches (WCC) welcomed the reaffirmation of the 2001 Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, as well as the international community's commitment to overcome all forms of racism "in all parts of the world, including those ‘under foreign occupation.'"

Baha'is and Rights Groups Say Iranian President must Address Discrimination at Home

April 19, 2009, GENEVA – The Baha'i International Community joined two human rights organizations in calling on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to address discrimination in his own country when he speaks this week at the conference known as Durban II. The statement was issued as a joint news release by the Baha'i International Community, the Iranian League for the Defense of Human Rights (LDDHI) and the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH).

People in the News

President of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service to Step down

April 20, 2009, CHICAGO – After 18 years serving as president of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), Ralston H. Deffenbaugh Jr. will resign from his post effective Sept. 1. LIRS, based in Baltimore, is a cooperative agency of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In a LIRS news release, Deffenbaugh, 57, said the "organization needs new gifts of leadership."

Reviews

‘Sing! Prayer and Praise' Song Book Available for Pre-Order

April 14, 2009 – Nearly three years after the idea for a new praise and worship song book was presented, the creative journey is finally realized. The Sing! Prayer and Praise song book will have its official debut at General Synod 27. The long process to produce Sing! Prayer and Praise began in the fall of 2006 when the Worship and Education Team of Local Church Ministries began the "Praise and Worship Music Project."